SB 6284-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/14/00)

     Finds that:  (1) The technology of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification is of great potential benefit to the citizens of this state in many fields, including human services and health care, scientific research, criminal justice, and corrections;

     (2) technology is changing and improving at an ever-increasing rate;

     (3) DNA technology is particularly important in assisting law enforcement in identifying and apprehending repeat criminal offenders as well as exonerating those people convicted and incarcerated for a crime they did not commit;

     (4) there are legitimate concerns for privacy rights in the creation, collection, maintenance, disclosure, identification, and use of DNA;

     (5) protections of citizens' civil rights and individual privileges necessitate policy development of protections preventing the unauthorized use of DNA and the use of DNA for discriminatory purposes; and

     (6) there is a need to address the potential future uses of DNA that may benefit citizens of this state, for purposes of the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.

     Establishes a DNA commission to study the issues for a report to the legislature by July 1, 2001.